General Updates and News

[-Harlington-]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

So after years of dithering and wrangling to save this totally unremarkable structure, including a totally bogus heritage designation, it is now going to cost us $244,000 to be rid of it?

Just burn the thing down, somebody. Please.

i will, i will,

[someone123]

There is an article in ANS tonight about regional council tomorrow and the decision whether or not to allow the grandfathered Barrington Street developments to move forward (Roy and Discovery Centre).

Dawn Sloane is on the record saying that she would rather follow the new heritage guidelines even though these were not implemented when the developments were first proposed and even though council had previously voted to allow the developments to be grandfathered, which is I think the only reasonable option in a situation like that.

My guess is that the vote will be fine but it's disturbing to hear councillors say things like "they knew the intent of the heritage district [that] was coming". Developers are supposed to predict the future and read the minds of councillors now?

It's also terrible that this process is taking 3+ years. No great mystery why Barrington is in the shape it is.

[fenwick16]

I am tired of seeing how councillors, including Dawn Sloane and others, treat the developers who create jobs in the city and who were the ones who built the city. If the majority of constituents really are against development in the city core, then they will support Dawn Sloane's war to keep Halifax in the past (my interpretation of Dawn Sloane's actions). It is interesting how she will go out of her way to save a 1940's clubhouse that brings little real value to the city (Wanderers Grounds Clubhouse) but seems to do little to encourage large scale developments in the city core.

If the HRM council votes to reject their own grandfathering provisions then they will once again be making a joke of city hall and will be essentially stating that the downtown core is closed to development.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by someone123

There is an article in ANS tonight about regional council tomorrow and the decision whether or not to allow the grandfathered Barrington Street developments to move forward (Roy and Discovery Centre).

Dawn Sloane is on the record saying that she would rather follow the new heritage guidelines even though these were not implemented when the developments were first proposed and even though council had previously voted to allow the developments to be grandfathered, which is I think the only reasonable option in a situation like that.

My guess is that the vote will be fine but it's disturbing to hear councillors say things like "they knew the intent of the heritage district [that] was coming". Developers are supposed to predict the future and read the minds of councillors now?

It's also terrible that this process is taking 3+ years. No great mystery why Barrington is in the shape it is.

Seriously... where the hell does council get off forcing a developer to follow a rule that was not in place at the time a proposal was made, while simultaneously allowing themselves to circumvent a rule that IS & WAS in place (1 year waiting period for the deregistering) just to make life easier for themselves. The take-home message is that they are obviously more than happy to circumvent the rules when it suits them, but developers should follow rules that will be in place possibly at some time in the future?!?! ARG!

[someone123]

Looks like the vote passed. Apparently the amendment needs a public hearing and then there will be more for the development around Oct-Dec, then maybe more votes, appeals, and finally by 2030 Barrington will just be a pile of rubble and this won't be so much of an issue.

Sad to say that I'm really happy to have moved to Vancouver. Every time I go back I am disappointed by how little changes. Halifax is mostly spinning its wheels, at least when it comes to the downtown area.

[fenwick16]

The discovery centre and Roy building projects will have a public hearing in August or September on whether to amend the HRM by Design to allow the increase in height over HRM by Design. The Heritage Advisory committee's recommendation to reject both outright was not passed (according to allnovascotia.com ). If the city council decides to permit the amendment after the public hearing, then there will be public hearings on each of the projects within 90 days of the amendment vote (what a process, no wonder most development is occurring in the suburbs).

[worldlyhaligonian]

Thankfully we have the Trillium going up.

With the Discovery Centre I want to see the height get approved because it would be a suitable base for a taller structure... not one of these squat buildings.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

If the city council decides to permit the amendment after the public hearing, then there will be public hearings on each of the projects within 90 days of the amendment vote (what a process, no wonder most development is occurring in the suburbs).

I think we need a public hearing on whether we need all these public hearings. This process is seriously flawed.

[Jstaleness]

Agreed.

[beyeas]

Originally Posted by Keith P.

I think we need a public hearing on whether we need all these public hearings. This process is seriously flawed.

I am with you on that one!

[fenwick16]

And if by chance it gets through the amendment stage and project approval stage, then there will almost certainly be appeals by the Heritage Trust.

[sdm]

Originally Posted by fenwick16

And if by chance it gets through the amendment stage and project approval stage, then there will almost certainly be appeals by the Heritage Trust.

Thats the risk though, be grandfathered under the old rules or wait and develop the project under the new rules.

Sadly, these projects will be a long drawn out process.

[JET]

Announcement from Capital Health: from today

"Demolition of QEH

A safety fence will soon go up around the Queen Elizabeth High School property (QEH), adjacent to the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Demolition of the school is expected to be complete by Spring 2011, beginning with the stripping of the interior. The fence will immediately affect some parking outside the Charles V. Keating Emergency and Trauma Centre.


The demolition of QEH is being managed b y the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR). The interior of the school itself contains some regulated materials including asbestos, lead, mercury and PCBs. As well, small quantities of ozone depleting substances and radioactive materials (smoke detectors) were identified. TIR will use standard protocols to safely remove regulated materials from the site and will have environmental testing done throughout the demolition. Capital Health will conduct air quality and noise level testing in our facilities during the demolition. Steps have already been taken to minimize rodents at the site and set out traps at our facilities in the event the work drives rodents toward the hospital.

Future Use of the Land

The QEH property was acquired by the province of Nova Scotia in a land swap with Halifax Regional Municipality with the intent it be handed over to Capital Health for future hospital use. Design work and construction for any future use is likely to take a number of years, during which the former school site would be vacant and under our management.

During this time, this space will not become a parking lot. Our intention is to use the space in a way that is financially sustainable, environmentally sensitive and for the good of our community. We think it could become an urban farm and we’re inviting employees, neighbours and community partners to talk about how we can best use the land between the demolition of the structure and the time the site is put to a permanent use.

We’re excited by the thought of making it a space to grow healthy food and demonstrate gardening skills right in the urban core. We’ll be looking to connect with others to discuss whether that’s a desirable use, how it might be viable and what alternatives exist.


Please watch for opportunities to discuss this in the coming months or get in touch with us at [email protected] and indicate your interest in the future use of the QEH property."

[halifaxboyns]

Originally Posted by JET

Announcement from Capital Health: from today

"Demolition of QEH

A safety fence will soon go up around the Queen Elizabeth High School property (QEH), adjacent to the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Demolition of the school is expected to be complete by Spring 2011, beginning with the stripping of the interior. The fence will immediately affect some parking outside the Charles V. Keating Emergency and Trauma Centre.


The demolition of QEH is being managed b y the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR). The interior of the school itself contains some regulated materials including asbestos, lead, mercury and PCBs. As well, small quantities of ozone depleting substances and radioactive materials (smoke detectors) were identified. TIR will use standard protocols to safely remove regulated materials from the site and will have environmental testing done throughout the demolition. Capital Health will conduct air quality and noise level testing in our facilities during the demolition. Steps have already been taken to minimize rodents at the site and set out traps at our facilities in the event the work drives rodents toward the hospital.

Future Use of the Land

The QEH property was acquired by the province of Nova Scotia in a land swap with Halifax Regional Municipality with the intent it be handed over to Capital Health for future hospital use. Design work and construction for any future use is likely to take a number of years, during which the former school site would be vacant and under our management.

During this time, this space will not become a parking lot. Our intention is to use the space in a way that is financially sustainable, environmentally sensitive and for the good of our community. We think it could become an urban farm and we’re inviting employees, neighbours and community partners to talk about how we can best use the land between the demolition of the structure and the time the site is put to a permanent use.

We’re excited by the thought of making it a space to grow healthy food and demonstrate gardening skills right in the urban core. We’ll be looking to connect with others to discuss whether that’s a desirable use, how it might be viable and what alternatives exist.


Please watch for opportunities to discuss this in the coming months or get in touch with us at [email protected] and indicate your interest in the future use of the QEH property."

Wait for it - the save the Halifax Common's people will be on this one like White on Rice. They've already been upset with it everytime the Common's Master Plan comes up.

I wouldn't want to see that on a work program if I were a senior manager with HRM. I think I'd rather take a retirement package before I'd willingly send any employee out to deal with that!

[JET]

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

Wait for it - the save the Halifax Common's people will be on this one like White on Rice. They've already been upset with it everytime the Common's Master Plan comes up.

I wouldn't want to see that on a work program if I were a senior manager with HRM. I think I'd rather take a retirement package before I'd willingly send any employee out to deal with that!

Using that land, even temporarily, for urban farming sounds like a good idea; would be neat on that corner. I would expect that it will eventually be used to re-locate the VG Hospital, and the discussion was that part of the VG land (the old school for the Blind property) would be used for public space (parkland). A win/win scenario. JET

[sdm]

Originally Posted by JET

Using that land, even temporarily, for urban farming sounds like a good idea; would be neat on that corner. I would expect that it will eventually be used to re-locate the VG Hospital, and the discussion was that part of the VG land (the old school for the Blind property) would be used for public space (parkland). A win/win scenario. JET

Yeah theres going to be lots of open space there however, remember theres that huge lot accross the street from the school thats been vacant for what it seems like the past century

[JET]

Originally Posted by sdm

Yeah theres going to be lots of open space there however, remember theres that huge lot accross the street from the school thats been vacant for what it seems like the past century

The vacant lot across from the QE Hospital/QE high school is privately owned, and there seems to be a stalemate about development there. JET

[JustinMacD]

A few updates from CBC news.

They're tearing down QE High on Robie and they are planning on turning it into a public vegetable garden or something. Dawn Sloane think that it's a great idea! (surprised?)

They also plan on widening Bayers Road and the local councillor is pissed. She complains that the elderly "cross the street to go shopping" and children "cross it to go to school". It's one of the busiest streets in Halifax lady. This is what growing cities do. They plan for the future.

[Keith P.]

Originally Posted by JustinMacD

They also plan on widening Bayers Road and the local councillor is pissed. She complains that the elderly "cross the street to go shopping" and children "cross it to go to school". It's one of the busiest streets in Halifax lady. This is what growing cities do. They plan for the future.

You are referring to the hopelessly bad Jennifer Watts, one of the leading lefty enviro-loons on Komedy Kouncil. She supports the narrowing of streets and building tall structures out of wood, like they allegedly do in Sweden. Riiiiiight.

[someone123]

Our intention is to use the space in a way that is financially sustainable, environmentally sensitive and for the good of our community.

I really dislike vacuous feel-good statements like this.

There's nothing particularly financially sustainable about demolishing a school and then turning it into a vegetable garden. It's also not particularly great environmentally to use valuable central land in the city for something like farming - what happens when you do this is that you spread everything out and people have to travel farther. I'm guessing the land's also not particularly great for agriculture, so suddenly they're buying and trucking in soil and fertilizer and so on.

Saying that something is "for the good of our community" is totally meaningless.